JP2009239365A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Kind Code: A1 It is possible to easily understand what kind of application and usage a recording medium on which an image is formed, and to make settings relating to image formation of another image forming apparatus using the recording medium.
A setting storage unit that stores setting information related to image formation of an image forming apparatus, and a code generation unit that generates a two-dimensional code arranged two-dimensionally based on the setting information stored in the setting storage unit. An image forming apparatus that forms an image of a two-dimensional code on a medium includes a guide information generation unit that generates guide information for guiding the use of the medium, and forms an image of the two-dimensional code generated by the code generation unit on the medium. In this case, an image is formed together with the guidance information generated by the guidance information generation unit.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a function of forming an image on a medium.

Conventionally, as typified by MFP (Multifunction Peripheral), an image forming function for a medium, a function for reading an image of a document, an e-mail function for attaching a read image to an e-mail or facsimile, a facsimile function, etc. There is an image forming apparatus provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such an image forming apparatus, various operation settings and network settings are performed in accordance with the usage mode of the user.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-047996

  In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when a plurality of image forming apparatuses are introduced, it is necessary to use a portable storage device such as a memory card. That is, after setting the first image forming apparatus, the setting value is copied to the portable storage device, the portable storage device is connected to the second and subsequent image forming apparatuses, and the setting value is read. Had been set by.

  However, such a portable storage device cannot know the use and usage of the data stored inside from the appearance. Therefore, for example, it is necessary to check the serial number of the setting information stored in the portable storage device using an external device such as a PC every time it is used, and it takes time and effort to find a suitable image forming apparatus.

  The present invention includes a setting storage unit that stores setting information related to image formation of the image forming apparatus, and a code generation unit that generates a two-dimensional code arranged two-dimensionally based on the setting information stored in the setting storage unit. An image forming apparatus for forming an image of a two-dimensional code on a medium includes a guide information generating unit that generates guide information for guiding the use of the medium, and forms an image on the medium using the two-dimensional code generated by the code generating unit. In this case, the guide information generated by the guide information generation unit is combined to form an image.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in addition to the two-dimensionally arranged code set for image formation, guidance information for guiding the use of the code is formed on the medium. Therefore, the user can easily understand what kind of application and handling method the code formed on the medium has, and can set the process conditions of other image forming apparatuses using the code. it can.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this case, an MFP as an image forming apparatus will be described.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of MFPs 1 and 1a according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of data blocks in a setting storage unit of the MFP.
Here, reference numeral 1 denotes a first MFP, which is an MFP that outputs setting information of a copy source after the user performs setting by a normal method. Reference numeral 1a represents a second MFP that is a copy destination to which the setting information output from the first MFP 1 is copied. The configuration is the same as that of the first MFP 1, and will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the MFPs 1 and 1a include an integrated control unit 2 that controls the entire apparatus, a storage unit 3 that includes an area used by the integrated control unit 2 and an area for storing setting contents, and control contents. An operation / display unit 4 that enables input from the outside according to the display content, a communication control unit 5 that controls communication with the outside, an image printing unit 6 that prints an image, and an image reading unit that reads an image of a document 7 is provided.

  The integrated control unit 2 is composed of a microprocessor and the like, and performs overall control of the MFPs 1 and 1a by executing a program (firmware) stored in a program storage unit 9 described later.

  The storage unit 3 includes an arithmetic memory unit 8, a program storage unit 9, and a setting storage unit 10.

  The arithmetic memory unit 8 includes a RAM, a flash memory, and the like, and temporarily stores information necessary for program execution, reading, and image data, and functions as a work memory.

  The program storage unit 9 includes a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM or a flash memory, and stores a program for controlling the entire MFP 1. The program written in the program storage area 9 can be rewritten. Further, in the program storage area 9, a code generation unit 11 that generates a two-dimensional code based on a setting value in the setting storage unit 10, and guidance information (that is, medium information and application information) added at the time of two-dimensional code printing are MFP1. And a setting change unit 13 that reads the two-dimensional code recorded on the print medium and sets the set value in the setting storage unit 10 of the apparatus.

  The setting storage unit 10 is configured by an electrically readable / writable flash memory or the like, and stores setting values necessary for program execution, as will be described later.

  The operation / display unit 4 is a display unit that displays an operating state, various information, and the like. Specifically, the operation / display unit 4 is an operation panel, and is a liquid crystal display unit having a touch input function that enables various information input operations. is there.

  The communication control unit 5 is an interface that performs processing for performing communication with the outside via a communication path (for example, a network or a USB).

  The image printing unit 6 performs processing for printing image data on a recording medium such as paper.

  The image reading unit 7 reads a document set by the user and converts it into electronic data. The image reading unit 7 includes a code recognition unit 14 for recognizing a two-dimensional code when the image read by the image reading unit 7 is a two-dimensional code.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the setting values stored in the setting storage unit 10 include a fixed value block 30, first and second user changeable setting blocks 32 and 34, and a user free description setting block 36. ing. For example, the device fixed value block 30 includes parameter values and color tables, the first user changeable setting block 32 includes device operation setting values, and the second user changeable setting block 34 includes network setting values. The user free description setting block 36 stores information relating to handling of printed media.

  The fixed value block 30 of the device is a block that defines fixed items related to IDs and characteristics, which are information unique to the device, and stores, for example, parameter values and color table values. The parameter value describes the device name, firmware version, ARP table, and the like. In the color table values, values for the colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black developers are coded.

  The user changeable setting blocks 32 and 34 are blocks in which setting values are stored for items for which the user can appropriately change the setting according to the usage mode.

  For example, the user changeable setting block 32 stores setting values for the operation of the apparatus. As shown in the figure, the user can arbitrarily specify items such as a power save transition time for specifying a time until shifting to power save, double-sided printing (ON / OFF) for specifying whether double-sided printing is possible, and a login password for specifying a login password. Can be set.

  The user changeable setting block 34 stores setting values for the network. As shown in the figure, it is possible to set items such as whether or not an IP address can be automatically acquired (ON / OFF), an SMTP server address for specifying an SMTP server address, a server login password, and a mail transmission destination specification.

  In the user's free description setting block 36, items relating to the usage and precautions of the recording medium output according to the present embodiment can be set as guide information regarding how to handle the printed medium and the contents to be applied.

  The fixed value block 30, the user changeable setting blocks 32 and 34, and the user free description setting block 36 described above are merely examples, and the contents and quantity are appropriately set according to the performance of the apparatus and the user's request. It can be changed.

First, a general MFP operation will be described.
When the MFP 1 is turned on, the integrated control unit 2 performs initialization processing on the display / operation unit 4, the communication control unit 5, the image printing unit 6, the image reading unit 7, and the arithmetic memory unit 8. That is, the integrated control unit 2 uses the setting value in the setting storage unit 10 to display / operate unit 4, communication control unit 5, image printing unit 6, image reading unit 7, arithmetic memory unit according to the program in the program storage unit 9. 8 initialization processing is sequentially performed. When the initialization process of each unit is completed, the MFP 1 enters a standby state.

  When performing the printing function, when image data is input via the communication control unit 5 in the standby state, the integrated control unit 2 stores the image data in the arithmetic memory unit 8 and develops it into print data. Next, the data is sent to the image printing unit 6 and printing is sequentially performed on a recording medium such as paper.

  When performing the reading function, the document is set in the image reading unit 7 in the standby state, and when a reading start instruction is input by the operation / display unit 4, the image reading unit 7 starts reading the document and reads it. The stored data is stored in the arithmetic memory unit 8 as image data.

  The image data accumulated by the reading function is used for a copy function and a facsimile function. For example, the copy function is a function that combines the above-described reading function and printing function, and after performing the reading function, all the read data for one page of the original is read from the arithmetic memory unit 8 to the image printing unit 6. When the transfer is completed, the image printing unit 6 prints out the received read data on a medium.

  The operation will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 on the assumption that a plurality of MFPs 1 and 1a are installed in a use environment (for example, an office), and that all the installed MFPs 1 and 1a are similarly changed. To do.

  First, the user inputs or changes a setting value suitable for the use environment to the first MFP 1 by using the operation / display unit 4. The setting values at this time are stored as operation setting items and network setting items of the device in the user changeable setting blocks 32 and 34 of the setting storage unit 10 described above, for example.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an operation for printing a two-dimensional code by the MFP according to the present embodiment.
The user instructs the start of two-dimensional code printing to print a two-dimensional code obtained by converting the setting value of the apparatus into a two-dimensional code via the operation / display unit 4 of the first MFP 1 (S1).

Then, the guide information generating unit 12 displays “medium information” as “first guide information” indicating how to handle the output print medium, and “second guide information” indicating the target to which the two-dimensional code is applied. “Applied information” (for example, the image forming apparatus to be applied and its spec contents) is collected from each part of the first MFP 1 and generated as print data (S2).
At this time, the generated print data (including “medium information” and “application information”) is temporarily stored in the arithmetic memory unit 8.

Next, the code generation unit 11 reads the setting value from the setting storage unit 10 (S3).
Here, as a specific example of the setting value read from the setting storage unit 5, for example, the setting value (the device operation setting value and the network setting value) stored in the user changeable setting blocks 32 and 34 in FIG. Set values (fixed values excluding the color table) stored in the fixed value block 30 and set values stored in the optional description setting block 36 (set values for use of the recording medium and precautions for use).

  Further, the code generator 11 generates a two-dimensional code by a known method based on the values of these items (S4). The generated two-dimensional code is temporarily stored in the arithmetic memory unit 8.

  Next, the print data (medium information and application information) and the two-dimensional code once stored in the operation memory unit 8 are transferred to the image printing unit 6 (S5), and the image printing unit 6 prints the image data. (S6).

FIG. 4 shows a print output medium 40 by the MFP of the present embodiment.
The content described in the print output medium 40 includes medium information 42 as first guidance information, application information 44 as second guidance information, and a two-dimensional barcode 46.
The medium information 42 is arranged on the upper stage of the print output medium 40 and is a description that guides how the user should read this paper first when reading it. The application information 44 is arranged in the middle of the print output medium 40 and is a description for guiding the user to set the paper for what type of specifications the user has. The two-dimensional barcode 46 is disposed at a lower position separated from the medium information 42 and the application information 44 as the first and second guide information.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an operation for changing the setting value of the MFP using the print output medium 40 output in the present embodiment.
Hereinafter, a procedure for copying the setting value set in the first MFP 1 to the second MFP 1a will be described.

  The user sets the print output medium 40 on which the setting value set in the first MFP 1 is printed in the image reading unit 6 of the second MFP 1a (S11).

  The image reading unit 7 reads the set original (S12), and the code recognition unit 14 recognizes the two-dimensional code in the original (S13). Here, the recognition data output after the recognition processing is temporarily stored in the arithmetic memory unit 8 as setting change data.

  Next, the setting change unit 13 checks whether the setting change data stored in the arithmetic memory unit 8 is writable to the apparatus (S14). Here, the confirmation content relates to whether or not the setting value to be changed matches the version of the MFP and the apparatus configuration.

  If the result confirmed by the setting change unit 13 matches, the integrated control unit 2 changes the setting value by overwriting the setting change data stored in the calculation memory unit 8 on the setting storage unit 10 (S15). ).

  Next, the apparatus is restarted (S16), and the setting change process is terminated (S17).

  If the result confirmed by the setting change unit 13 (S14) is incompatible, the integrated control unit 2 deletes the setting change data stored in the arithmetic memory unit 8 (S18), and ends the setting change process (S17). ).

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment, the two-dimensionally arranged codes set for image formation and the guide information for guiding the use of the medium are image-formed on the medium. Therefore, the user can easily understand the purpose and usage of the recording medium on which the image is formed, and use the recording medium to perform settings related to image formation of another image forming apparatus. Can do.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the MFPs 60 and 60a according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of data blocks in the setting storage unit of the MFP 60.

  Reference numeral 60 represents a first MFP, and reference numeral 60a represents a second MFP to which setting information set for the first MFP 60 is copied. The relationship between the first MFP 60 and the second MFP 60a is the relationship between the setting value copy source and the setting value copy destination, as in the first embodiment.

  In addition, below, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about what has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, and the effect of the same embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure.

  In FIG. 6, a date and time management unit 67 is newly added to the program storage unit 65 of the storage unit 63.

As shown in FIG. 7, the setting value stored in the setting storage unit 80 has a user changeable setting block 82 in addition to the setting value in the first embodiment, and can be changed by the user. The setting start date and time is stored in the setting block 82.
The date and time management unit 67 refers to the setting start date and time of the user changeable setting block 82 and manages the time when the setting change operation in the setting change unit 13 becomes valid.

  Further, the operation / display unit 69 (FIG. 6) has an input field (not shown) for inputting a setting start time in order to enable setting of the user changeable setting block 82 setting start date and time.

  6 to 9, as in the first embodiment, a plurality of MFPs 60 and 60a are installed in a use environment (for example, an office), and setting changes are similarly performed for all the installed MFPs 60 and 60a. The operation will be explained below.

  First, the user changes the setting value according to the use environment in the same manner as in the first embodiment via the operation / display unit 64 of the first MFP 60. Further, when the date and time for copying this set value to the second MFP is known in advance, the execution start date and time is input via the operation / display unit 69. The setting value of the execution start date and time is stored in the user changeable setting block 82 of the setting storage unit 80. The setting value of the execution start date and time may be stored in any block as long as it is a user changeable setting block.

  Next, an operation until the print medium 90 on which a two-dimensional code is printed is output from the first MPF 60 will be described. The operation flow is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 except for a part of the contents of S3, S5, and S6, and will be described with reference to FIG. 3 as appropriate.

  That is, in the present embodiment, in addition to the setting value read from the setting storage unit in S3 of FIG. 3, the setting start date and time setting value of the user changeable setting block 82 is read together. The setting start date and time setting value is included in the application information in S5, and is similarly included as image data in S6.

FIG. 8 shows a print output medium 90 output from the first MFP 60 of the present embodiment.
In addition to the content described in the first embodiment, the setting start date and time is inserted and arranged in the second row from the top in the content described in the print output medium 90. Further, the setting start date and time is also encoded in the two-dimensional barcode 94.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an operation for changing the setting value of the MFP using the print output medium 90 output in the present embodiment.
Hereinafter, a procedure for copying the setting value set in the first MFP 60 to the second MFP 60a will be described.

  The user sets the print output medium 90 on which the setting value set in the first MFP 60 is printed in the image reading unit 7 of the second MFP 60a (S21).

  The image reading unit 7 reads the set original (S22), and the code recognition unit 14 recognizes the two-dimensional code in the original (S23). Here, the recognition data output after the recognition processing is temporarily stored in the arithmetic memory unit 8 as setting change data.

  Next, the setting change unit 13 checks whether the setting change data stored in the arithmetic memory unit 8 is writable in the apparatus (S24). Here, the confirmation content relates to whether or not the setting value to be changed matches the version of the MFP and the apparatus configuration.

  If the setting change unit 13 confirms the result, the integrated control unit 2 manages the date and time so as to confirm whether or not the date and time for rewriting the setting value input in advance by the user has passed. The unit 73 is instructed (S25).

  If the specified date / time has not yet elapsed, the setting value is not changed until the specified date / time is reached (N in S25). When the specified date and time has passed, the setting value is changed by overwriting the setting change data stored in the arithmetic memory unit 8 in the setting storage unit 80 (S26).

  Next, the apparatus is restarted (S27), and the setting value changing process is terminated (S28).

  If the result confirmed by the setting change unit 13 is incompatible, the integrated control unit 2 deletes the setting change data stored in the arithmetic memory unit 8 (S29), and ends the setting change process (S28).

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment, after the setting is changed by the first MFP, the setting of the second MFP is changed in the same manner as the first MFP after a predetermined date and time. I do. With such a configuration, it is possible to collectively change the settings of all MFPs at a predetermined date and time.

  In each embodiment, the MFP is used as the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is applicable to an apparatus having a function of forming an image on a medium such as a facsimile machine and a copying machine.

  In the first and second embodiments, the description has been made on the assumption that the same MFP is changed in the same manner. However, in place of this configuration, MFPs of different device types and device series are also common. It is also possible to change the setting only for the setting items. In this case, a configuration may be adopted that includes a detection unit that detects all setting items of each MFP and a selection setting change unit that selectively allows setting changes only for common items that can be changed.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a setting storage unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a print output medium by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart for outputting a print output medium on which setting values are set by the first image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for changing settings of the second image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the setting memory | storage part of the image forming apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the print output medium by the image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for changing settings of a second image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1a, 60, 60a MFP (image forming apparatus)
2 integrated control unit 3,63 storage unit 4 operation / display unit 5 communication control unit 6 image printing unit 7 image reading unit 8 arithmetic memory unit 9,65 program storage unit 10,80 setting storage unit 11 code generation unit 12 guide information generation Part 13 Setting change part 14 Code recognition part 67 Date and time management part

Claims (5)

A setting storage unit that stores setting information related to image formation of the image forming apparatus, and a code generation unit that generates a two-dimensional code arranged two-dimensionally based on the setting information stored in the setting storage unit. In an image forming apparatus for forming an image of a two-dimensional code,
A guide information generating unit for generating guide information for guiding the use of the medium;
An image forming apparatus characterized in that when the two-dimensional code generated by the code generator is formed on a medium, an image is formed together with the guide information generated by the guide information generator. A reading unit for reading a two-dimensional code formed on the medium;
A setting writing unit for writing setting information to the setting storage unit based on the two-dimensional code read by the reading unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic system,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting information related to image formation is a process condition of electrophotography. The guide information includes first guide information on how to handle a medium on which a two-dimensional code is formed, and second guide information on a target to which the two-dimensional code is applied. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a time management unit that manages a setting start time.

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